Main description:

This latest addition to the PCCS Books Primers in Counselling series offers a concise introduction to rational emotive behaviour therapy (REBT). Devised by Albert Ellis in 1955, and subsequently further developed and refined, REBT is based on the principle that 'People are not disturbed by the adversities that they face. Rather, they disturb themselves about these adversities by the rigid and extreme attitudes that they hold towards them.' REBT therapists seek to help their clients identify, examine and change the rigid and extreme attitudes that underpin their emotional problems, and to develop alternative flexible and non-extreme alternative attitudes. As therapy proceeds, the therapist will help the client to take increasing responsibility for using these methods, with the ultimate aim that they become their own therapist. The book takes the reader step by step through these processes, culminating in a detailed transcription of a single session of REBT. It ends with an outline of research on the effectiveness of REBT. It also includes helpful forms for use with clients and links to further resources.

Contents:

Series introduction, Introduction, 1: The origins of REBT and its place in the therapeutic realm, 2: Two basic ideas, 3: REBT's view of emotional disturbance and health: the situational ABC framework, 4: The working alliance in REBT: A framework for practice, 5: Beginning REBT, 6: Developing and maintaining a problem focus, 7: Developing and maintaining a goal focus, 8: Developing and maintaining a solution focus I: Promoting intellectual insight, 9: Developing and maintaining a solution focus II: Promoting emotional insight, 10: Promoting maintenance and generalisation, 11: Dealing with obstacles to change, 12: Client study: A transcript of single-session REBT, 13: Research into REBT, Appendix 1: Resources for learning, Appendix 2: Eight unhealthy and healthy emotions, Appendix 3: The Dryden REBT form, Appendix 4: The wise rabbi story, Glossary, References, Index